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I nod quickly, almost too quickly.
“Yes. I’ve been safe here, and I’ve been treated well.”
I have no idea how he’ll react to my words.
I’m not lying though, not about that.
“Exactly how long have you been here, Chiara?”
Alessandro asks again, his voice sharpening.
“I-I’m not too sure. It’s been hard to keep track as everything became confusing very quickly.”
This time, I try to sound more confident.
I don’t want Alessandro to think that I’m lying to him, to think that I’m hiding something from him. He doesn’t seem to be convinced though. As he stares at me for a moment longer, he releases a heavy breath.
He glances back to Isaak who’s been watching us both silently. It’s clear that they’re both in sync, the unspoken communication passing between them like a private language.
I can’t help but tremble at the intensity of their eyes on me. It seems like they’re measuring every word, and every momentof mine, trying to decide if I’m telling the truth, or if I’m hiding something from them.
I am telling the truth, and I’m not hiding anything.
Alessandro leans back into the sofa, sighing deeply, his posture relaxing just a fraction.
“We’ll sort this out.” He tells me. “But understand this, Chiara, no harm will come to you while I am here.”
I nod at him, releasing a shaky breath.
Isaak continues watching me intently, saying nothing, his silence heavy in this room.
The air between us becomes thick with unspoken understanding.
As I sit there, feeling more and more restless, I can’t help but think of my family—of Papa, of Dario—wondering how much longer it will be before I see them again.
Alessandro seems to catch the shift in my expression, his gaze locking with mine. He doesn’t wait for me to say anything before he speaks again.
“Your family…Francesco and Dario…they will be here soon.”
My chest tightens, almost as if all the air has been knocked out of me.
I can't breathe, my lungs unable to take in enough air, as I press my palm hard against my stomach.
Tears immediately prick at my eyes, blurring my vision as I swallow hard, fighting to keep control.
It doesn’t work.
Tears fall freely, spilling over my eyes, running down my cheeks.
“I just want to hold them.”
I breathe out, almost to myself, the words tumbling out of me.
The thought of being wrapped in Papa’s warm embrace with my brother’s strong arms wrapped around me makes me smile softly.
Alessandro watches me, unmoving as I struggle to control my emotions.
The anticipation of finally seeing them again makes every second feel like an eternity.